One Sentence Summary
The Institute is a suspenseful, captivating novel about children with supernatural gifts who are imprisoned in a hidden facility and must find a way to break out and win their freedom.
Book Genre
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Main Topic of the Book
The Institute follows the story of a group of psychologically and physically gifted children who are taken from their normal lives and locked away in a secret facility called The Institute for superhuman experimentation. The children must find a way to outwit their captors and escape.
Key Ideas
- Young people have the power to achieve the extraordinary.
- Reality isn’t always what it seems.
- The strength of friendship can triumph over any obstacle.
- Bravery and courage can be found even when facing impossible odds.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
Part 1: The Children of The Institute – Twelve-year-old Luke Ellis is taken from his home and brought to The Institute, an oppressive building with walls that are surrounded by an electric fence. Inside, he meets the other children who are held captive there: Kalisha, Plane, Nick, and Avery. Luke and the other children attempt to find a way to escape the facility.
Part 2: Escape From The Institute – The children devise a plan to break out of The Institute and make their way to Charleston, South Carolina. They face many obstacles along the way, including corrupt police officers and the Institute’s own security forces. Ultimately, they succeed in their escape and arrive in Charleston.
Part 3: Freedom and Justice – Once in Charleston, the children become aware of a conspiracy to control the country’s entire population through the use of mind control drugs. They decide to take a stand and confront the group behind the conspiracy. With the help of their friends, they battle the powerful forces arrayed against them, eventually winning justice and freedom for all.
Key Takeaways
- No matter how hard life gets, there’s always hope for a better future.
- The strength of friendship and teamwork can overcome any challenge.
- Courage and bravery can be found even in the darkest of times.
- The power of the human spirit is limitless.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Stephen King is an internationally acclaimed author of horror and fantasy literature. He is the author of over sixty novels and numerous short stories, and his books have sold more than 350 million copies. His books have been adapted for television and film, and he has won numerous awards including the National Medal of Arts and the Edgar Award.
Target Audience
The Institute is intended for an audience of young adults and mature readers, primarily targeting ages 14 and above.
Publisher and First Publication Date
The Institute was published in September 2019 by Scribner in the United States.